CA1281009C - Tab opening container - Google Patents
Tab opening containerInfo
- Publication number
- CA1281009C CA1281009C CA000537657A CA537657A CA1281009C CA 1281009 C CA1281009 C CA 1281009C CA 000537657 A CA000537657 A CA 000537657A CA 537657 A CA537657 A CA 537657A CA 1281009 C CA1281009 C CA 1281009C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- sheet
- product
- bottom portions
- pull tab
- overlap region
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D71/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D71/06—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers
- B65D71/12—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers the packaging elements, e.g. wrappers being formed by folding a single blank
- B65D71/14—Packaging elements holding or encircling completely or almost completely the bundle of articles, e.g. wrappers the packaging elements, e.g. wrappers being formed by folding a single blank having a tubular shape, e.g. tubular wrappers without end walls
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B51/00—Devices for, or methods of, sealing or securing package folds or closures; Devices for gathering or twisting wrappers, or necks of bags
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
- G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
- G09F3/00—Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means; Seals; Postage or like stamps
- G09F3/02—Forms or constructions
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00129—Wrapper locking means
- B65D2571/00135—Wrapper locking means integral with the wrapper
- B65D2571/00148—Wrapper locking means integral with the wrapper heat sealede or welded
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00246—Locating elements for the contents
- B65D2571/00253—Locating elements for the contents integral with the wrapper
- B65D2571/0029—Openings in top or bottom walls
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00555—Wrapper opening devices
- B65D2571/00635—Means for unlocking, e.g. for grasping and tearing the glued overlapping edge
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00648—Elements used to form the wrapper
- B65D2571/00654—Blanks
- B65D2571/0066—Blanks formed from one single sheet
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2571/00—Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans, pop bottles; Bales of material
- B65D2571/00123—Bundling wrappers or trays
- B65D2571/00709—Shape of the formed wrapper, i.e. shape of each formed element if the wrapper is made from more than one element
- B65D2571/00716—Shape of the formed wrapper, i.e. shape of each formed element if the wrapper is made from more than one element tubular without end walls
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2585/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages specially adapted for particular articles or materials
- B65D2585/68—Containers, packaging elements or packages specially adapted for particular articles or materials for machines, engines, or vehicles in assembled or dismantled form
- B65D2585/86—Containers, packaging elements or packages specially adapted for particular articles or materials for machines, engines, or vehicles in assembled or dismantled form for electrical components
- B65D2585/88—Batteries
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
- G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
- G09F3/00—Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means; Seals; Postage or like stamps
- G09F3/02—Forms or constructions
- G09F2003/0222—Features for removal or adhesion, e.g. tabs
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
- G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
- G09F3/00—Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means; Seals; Postage or like stamps
- G09F3/02—Forms or constructions
- G09F2003/023—Adhesive
- G09F2003/0245—Differential adhesive strength
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Packages (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
An easily accessible container is disclosed having a wrapping material wrapped around products or product holders and further having a pull tab for ease of removing the material. The pull tab may further act to bind ends of the wrapping material prior to removal of the material by consumers.
An easily accessible container is disclosed having a wrapping material wrapped around products or product holders and further having a pull tab for ease of removing the material. The pull tab may further act to bind ends of the wrapping material prior to removal of the material by consumers.
Description
C)9 This invention relates to containers providing easy access to products or product holders which are wrapped in packing films, wraps or the like.
The use of plastic and other materials to wrap product containers or actual products has gained substantial p~pularity as a means, for instance, of providing tamper-resistant security, preserving freshness, and increasing the visual attractiveness of a product. Other advantages lie in the wrap providing a surface onto which designs, logos, prices and the like may be stickered or printed without affecting a product within the wrap. In order to optimize the use of such wraps, it is desirable to wrap products or their containers very tightly. Tightly wrapped products tend to be easier -to stack and display and tend to take up less room than would be expected of a loosely wrapped product. Moreover, in the case of a clear plastic shrink wrap, tight wrapping helps ensure a clear view of the product or container within -the wrap and thus helps increase visual appeal to consumers.
A problem with wraps of the type described above, is that they tend to be difficult to open, especially for children and the elderly. This is a particular problem with tightly wrapped products such as shrink wrapped products and static sealed wraps. It is not uncommon for a consumer to result to some form of tool in attempting to gain access to a tightly wrapped product or container. It has been attempted to solve this problem by providing a tear strip in the wrap. However, such a tear strip may be expensive to produce and may break and prove unreliable in the hands of the consumer.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a means for easy access to wrapped products and containers.
It is a further object to provide a means for easy access to wrapped products and containers which is inexpensive to produce, versatile and thoroughly reliable in use. `'-'-~'!",' , -- . .
., ~=
It is yet ano-ther ob~ect of the invention to provide an opening means for wrapped products and containers which also aids in sealing the wrap around the product or container prior to opening.
Accordingly, one aspect of the inventlon provides an easily accessible container comprising: ~a) a sheet - of wrapping material having interior and exterior sides, top and bottom ends, and top and bottom portions, respectively, between the ends; the sheet being wrapped around at least one product or product holder such that the top and bottom portions of the sheet overlap each other to form an overlap -~ region comprising an overlapped portion of the sheet and an overlapping portion of the shee-t, the top and bot-tom portions of the sheet being electrostatically bound in the overlap region; and ~b) a pull tab adhesively afEixed in part to the sheet and comprising an adhesive-free grasping element located such tha-t an external pulling force exerted on the tab will be transmitted to the overlap region and will exert a force which pulls the overlapping portion ;~ 20 of the sheet in a direction away from the overlapped portion of the sheet.
Another aspect of the invention provides an . . .
easily accessible container comprising: (a) a sheet of wrapping material having interior and exterior sides, top and bottom ends, and top and bottom portions, respectively, between the ends; the sheet being wrapped around at least one product or product holder, the top and bottom portions of the sheet forming an overlap region and being electro-statically bound in the overlap region; and (b) a pull tab adhesively affixed in part to both the top and bottom portions and comprising an adhesive-free grasping element.
A further aspect of the invention provides an easily accessible container comprising: (a) a wrapping sheet comprised of material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene~ polypropylene and polyvinylchloride;
wherein the sheet has in-terior and exterior siaes, top and bottom ends, and top and bottom portions, respectively, ' .
. . .
between the ends, and wharein the sheet is wr.àpped around at least one product or product holder such that the top and bottom portions overlap and are electrostatically sealed to each other to form an overlap region comprising an overlapped portion o~ the shee-t and an overlapping portion; and (b) a foil pull tab adhesively affixed in the overlap region to the ex-ternal side of the overlapping . portion of the sheet wherein the tab comprises an adhesive-free graspiny element.
I-t is preferred that the tab be adhesively bound : to the overlapping portion of the sheet. In certain embodiments, the pull tab may be adhesively affixed to both t~e top and bottom portions of the sheet in a manner by which the tab helps bind the top and bottom portions toge-ther.
In this embodiment, it is preferred and that the tab be free-of adhesive whe~ever it crosses any end oE the sheet.
The invention is elucidated urther by the detailed description of certain preferred embodiments set forth below when read in conjunction wi-th the accompanyi.ng drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment : of the wrapped container of the instant invention, Figure 2 is a reverse side of the pull tab shown in Figure l;
~ 25 Figure 3 is the reverse side of a pull tab which ;~ may be used in cer-tain alternative embodiments of the invention;
Figure 4 is an exaggerated cross-sectional view of the pull tab shown in Figure 3; and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a wrap and pull tab assembled using the tab of Figures 3 and 4.
: In Figure 1, battery holder 14 is shown wrapped - .
. in a sheet of clear plastic wrap 7. Sheet 7 has a top 35 end 11 and a bottom end 10, as well as a top portion 8 ~: (i.e. that portion of the wrap closer to the top end than to the bottom end when the sheet material is flat) which .:
:. ~
- , , .
- 3~ -is overlapped by the bo-ttom portion 9 (i.e. that portion of the sheet closer to the bo-ttom end than to the top end when the sheet is flat) in overlap region 12. In certain preferred embodiments, top porti.on 8 is bound electrostatically or by other known means to bottom portion 9 in overlap region 12. Sheet 7 is preferably stretched tight such -that i-ts interior side 15 firmly contacts portions of battery holder 14. In overlap region 12, interior side 15 of bottom portion 9 preferably overlaps exterior side 16 of top portion 8 in a sealing manner. Pull tab 13 is adhesively affixed to ex-terior side 30 of bottom - portion 9 such .
~ ~ 35 :
, ' ' . , , ; that when grasping element 17 of pull tab 13 is grasped and pulled away from holder 14, pull tab 13 transmits the pulling I force to bottom portion 9 in overlap re~ion 12 causing overlapping bottom po~tion 9 to be pulled in a direction away from overlapped top portion 8. A consumer's pulling of tab 13 ¦ may thus separate the top and bottom portions 8 and 9 of sheet ~ 7 to create an opening through which holder 14 is accessible.
¦¦ Figure 2 shows the reverse side of pull tab 13 which ~ is preferably coated in part by an adhesive 25 which is capable ¦ of forming a stronger bond between pull tab 13 and sheet 7 than is formed between upper portion 8 and lower portion 9 in overlap region 12. Tab 13 is preferably affixed to sheet 7 in : such a manner that a substantial amount of adhesive 25 on its reverse side contacts exterior side 30 of bottom portion 9 in overlap region 12. It is desirable that an uncoated region 26 I be retained in pull tab 13 to form grasping element 17. The : ; lack of adhesive in this area facilitates ease of grasping. It :~ I!
is also desirable, though not necessary, that adhesive 25 not .
i be present on any part of tab 13 which contacts any edge 10 or l 11 of sheet 7. ~he lack of adhesive in this area enhances ease of opening.
l`~ Figures 3, 4 and 5 illustrate an alternative il embodiment of the instant invention wherein pull tab 13 is coated with adhesive 25 in regions of tab 13 which are to contact both top portion ~ and bottom portion 9 of sheet 7.
Optionally, the regions are separated by uncoated region 26.
Pull tab 13 is preferably placed on a wrapped container in such a manner that a region of adhesive 25 contacts both exterior I side 16 of top portion ~ and exterior side 30 of bottom portion 9. It is preferred, to enhance ease of opening, that uncoated 1`;
.
.
00~
region 26 of tab 13 cross bottom edge 10. It is desirable that another uncoated region 26 occur at that edge of tab 13 which is to form grasping element 17~ which i5 preferably an edge of tab 13 farthest from bottom portion ~.
The sheet of wrapping material may be comprised o any material capable of providing a wrap for a product or product holder. Especially preferred are clear plastic shrink wraps, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylchloride and the like. The wrap may be applied to, and sealed around, products and holders in a number of conventional ways known in the art, such as continuous overlap static sealing wherein those portions of the wrap which overlap adhere to one another electrostatically.
Any product or product holder for which wrapping i5 desired may be used in accordance with the instant invention.
Holders may, for instance7 be cardboard cartons for containing individual product units, but any container is approprlate.
Likewise, products may be directly wrapped in accordance with the invention without prior enclosure in a container.
The pull tab may be eomprised of any material of sufficient strength to retain its structural integrity when pulled by a consumer sufficiently to open the container in accordance with the invention. It is preferred that the material selected for the pull tab be responsive to the adhesive qualities of inexpensive adhesives usable with ~he wrap material. Cardboard or foil tabs are preferred and the size and shape of the tab may be varied as desired. The tab may be printed with opening instructions or other information if desired.
The adhesive used may be any of a large variety of _5_ .
known adhesive substances and should be selected from among those adhesives known to be effective for use with both the material which comprises the pull tab and the material which comprises the wrap. The adhesive should provide a seal between the pull tab and wrap which is stronger than any seal whi.ch is to be broken in accordance with the instant invention.
The words and descriptions of certain preferred embodiments used above are set forth by way of example : 10 only and are not intended to exciude the multitude of substantially equivalent embodimen-ts which -those of skill in the art will readily recognize to exist for the instant invention~
.~
:
~::
: 25 ' '~
~ ' ' ' ' ' - , ' .
The use of plastic and other materials to wrap product containers or actual products has gained substantial p~pularity as a means, for instance, of providing tamper-resistant security, preserving freshness, and increasing the visual attractiveness of a product. Other advantages lie in the wrap providing a surface onto which designs, logos, prices and the like may be stickered or printed without affecting a product within the wrap. In order to optimize the use of such wraps, it is desirable to wrap products or their containers very tightly. Tightly wrapped products tend to be easier -to stack and display and tend to take up less room than would be expected of a loosely wrapped product. Moreover, in the case of a clear plastic shrink wrap, tight wrapping helps ensure a clear view of the product or container within -the wrap and thus helps increase visual appeal to consumers.
A problem with wraps of the type described above, is that they tend to be difficult to open, especially for children and the elderly. This is a particular problem with tightly wrapped products such as shrink wrapped products and static sealed wraps. It is not uncommon for a consumer to result to some form of tool in attempting to gain access to a tightly wrapped product or container. It has been attempted to solve this problem by providing a tear strip in the wrap. However, such a tear strip may be expensive to produce and may break and prove unreliable in the hands of the consumer.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a means for easy access to wrapped products and containers.
It is a further object to provide a means for easy access to wrapped products and containers which is inexpensive to produce, versatile and thoroughly reliable in use. `'-'-~'!",' , -- . .
., ~=
It is yet ano-ther ob~ect of the invention to provide an opening means for wrapped products and containers which also aids in sealing the wrap around the product or container prior to opening.
Accordingly, one aspect of the inventlon provides an easily accessible container comprising: ~a) a sheet - of wrapping material having interior and exterior sides, top and bottom ends, and top and bottom portions, respectively, between the ends; the sheet being wrapped around at least one product or product holder such that the top and bottom portions of the sheet overlap each other to form an overlap -~ region comprising an overlapped portion of the sheet and an overlapping portion of the shee-t, the top and bot-tom portions of the sheet being electrostatically bound in the overlap region; and ~b) a pull tab adhesively afEixed in part to the sheet and comprising an adhesive-free grasping element located such tha-t an external pulling force exerted on the tab will be transmitted to the overlap region and will exert a force which pulls the overlapping portion ;~ 20 of the sheet in a direction away from the overlapped portion of the sheet.
Another aspect of the invention provides an . . .
easily accessible container comprising: (a) a sheet of wrapping material having interior and exterior sides, top and bottom ends, and top and bottom portions, respectively, between the ends; the sheet being wrapped around at least one product or product holder, the top and bottom portions of the sheet forming an overlap region and being electro-statically bound in the overlap region; and (b) a pull tab adhesively affixed in part to both the top and bottom portions and comprising an adhesive-free grasping element.
A further aspect of the invention provides an easily accessible container comprising: (a) a wrapping sheet comprised of material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene~ polypropylene and polyvinylchloride;
wherein the sheet has in-terior and exterior siaes, top and bottom ends, and top and bottom portions, respectively, ' .
. . .
between the ends, and wharein the sheet is wr.àpped around at least one product or product holder such that the top and bottom portions overlap and are electrostatically sealed to each other to form an overlap region comprising an overlapped portion o~ the shee-t and an overlapping portion; and (b) a foil pull tab adhesively affixed in the overlap region to the ex-ternal side of the overlapping . portion of the sheet wherein the tab comprises an adhesive-free graspiny element.
I-t is preferred that the tab be adhesively bound : to the overlapping portion of the sheet. In certain embodiments, the pull tab may be adhesively affixed to both t~e top and bottom portions of the sheet in a manner by which the tab helps bind the top and bottom portions toge-ther.
In this embodiment, it is preferred and that the tab be free-of adhesive whe~ever it crosses any end oE the sheet.
The invention is elucidated urther by the detailed description of certain preferred embodiments set forth below when read in conjunction wi-th the accompanyi.ng drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment : of the wrapped container of the instant invention, Figure 2 is a reverse side of the pull tab shown in Figure l;
~ 25 Figure 3 is the reverse side of a pull tab which ;~ may be used in cer-tain alternative embodiments of the invention;
Figure 4 is an exaggerated cross-sectional view of the pull tab shown in Figure 3; and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a wrap and pull tab assembled using the tab of Figures 3 and 4.
: In Figure 1, battery holder 14 is shown wrapped - .
. in a sheet of clear plastic wrap 7. Sheet 7 has a top 35 end 11 and a bottom end 10, as well as a top portion 8 ~: (i.e. that portion of the wrap closer to the top end than to the bottom end when the sheet material is flat) which .:
:. ~
- , , .
- 3~ -is overlapped by the bo-ttom portion 9 (i.e. that portion of the sheet closer to the bo-ttom end than to the top end when the sheet is flat) in overlap region 12. In certain preferred embodiments, top porti.on 8 is bound electrostatically or by other known means to bottom portion 9 in overlap region 12. Sheet 7 is preferably stretched tight such -that i-ts interior side 15 firmly contacts portions of battery holder 14. In overlap region 12, interior side 15 of bottom portion 9 preferably overlaps exterior side 16 of top portion 8 in a sealing manner. Pull tab 13 is adhesively affixed to ex-terior side 30 of bottom - portion 9 such .
~ ~ 35 :
, ' ' . , , ; that when grasping element 17 of pull tab 13 is grasped and pulled away from holder 14, pull tab 13 transmits the pulling I force to bottom portion 9 in overlap re~ion 12 causing overlapping bottom po~tion 9 to be pulled in a direction away from overlapped top portion 8. A consumer's pulling of tab 13 ¦ may thus separate the top and bottom portions 8 and 9 of sheet ~ 7 to create an opening through which holder 14 is accessible.
¦¦ Figure 2 shows the reverse side of pull tab 13 which ~ is preferably coated in part by an adhesive 25 which is capable ¦ of forming a stronger bond between pull tab 13 and sheet 7 than is formed between upper portion 8 and lower portion 9 in overlap region 12. Tab 13 is preferably affixed to sheet 7 in : such a manner that a substantial amount of adhesive 25 on its reverse side contacts exterior side 30 of bottom portion 9 in overlap region 12. It is desirable that an uncoated region 26 I be retained in pull tab 13 to form grasping element 17. The : ; lack of adhesive in this area facilitates ease of grasping. It :~ I!
is also desirable, though not necessary, that adhesive 25 not .
i be present on any part of tab 13 which contacts any edge 10 or l 11 of sheet 7. ~he lack of adhesive in this area enhances ease of opening.
l`~ Figures 3, 4 and 5 illustrate an alternative il embodiment of the instant invention wherein pull tab 13 is coated with adhesive 25 in regions of tab 13 which are to contact both top portion ~ and bottom portion 9 of sheet 7.
Optionally, the regions are separated by uncoated region 26.
Pull tab 13 is preferably placed on a wrapped container in such a manner that a region of adhesive 25 contacts both exterior I side 16 of top portion ~ and exterior side 30 of bottom portion 9. It is preferred, to enhance ease of opening, that uncoated 1`;
.
.
00~
region 26 of tab 13 cross bottom edge 10. It is desirable that another uncoated region 26 occur at that edge of tab 13 which is to form grasping element 17~ which i5 preferably an edge of tab 13 farthest from bottom portion ~.
The sheet of wrapping material may be comprised o any material capable of providing a wrap for a product or product holder. Especially preferred are clear plastic shrink wraps, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylchloride and the like. The wrap may be applied to, and sealed around, products and holders in a number of conventional ways known in the art, such as continuous overlap static sealing wherein those portions of the wrap which overlap adhere to one another electrostatically.
Any product or product holder for which wrapping i5 desired may be used in accordance with the instant invention.
Holders may, for instance7 be cardboard cartons for containing individual product units, but any container is approprlate.
Likewise, products may be directly wrapped in accordance with the invention without prior enclosure in a container.
The pull tab may be eomprised of any material of sufficient strength to retain its structural integrity when pulled by a consumer sufficiently to open the container in accordance with the invention. It is preferred that the material selected for the pull tab be responsive to the adhesive qualities of inexpensive adhesives usable with ~he wrap material. Cardboard or foil tabs are preferred and the size and shape of the tab may be varied as desired. The tab may be printed with opening instructions or other information if desired.
The adhesive used may be any of a large variety of _5_ .
known adhesive substances and should be selected from among those adhesives known to be effective for use with both the material which comprises the pull tab and the material which comprises the wrap. The adhesive should provide a seal between the pull tab and wrap which is stronger than any seal whi.ch is to be broken in accordance with the instant invention.
The words and descriptions of certain preferred embodiments used above are set forth by way of example : 10 only and are not intended to exciude the multitude of substantially equivalent embodimen-ts which -those of skill in the art will readily recognize to exist for the instant invention~
.~
:
~::
: 25 ' '~
~ ' ' ' ' ' - , ' .
Claims (5)
1. An easily accessible container comprising:
(a) a sheet of wrapping material having interior and exterior sides, top and bottom ends, and top and bottom portions, respectively, between the ends; the sheet being wrapped around at least one product or product holder such that the top and bottom portions of the sheet overlap each other to form an overlap region comprising an overlapped portion of the sheet and an overlapping portion of the sheet, said top and bottom portions of the sheet being electrostatically bound in the overlap region; and (b) a pull tab adhesively affixed in part to the sheet and comprising an adhesive-free grasping element located such that an external pulling force exerted on the tab will be transmitted to the overlap region and will exert a force which pulls the overlapping portion of the sheet in a direction away from the overlapped portion of the sheet.
(a) a sheet of wrapping material having interior and exterior sides, top and bottom ends, and top and bottom portions, respectively, between the ends; the sheet being wrapped around at least one product or product holder such that the top and bottom portions of the sheet overlap each other to form an overlap region comprising an overlapped portion of the sheet and an overlapping portion of the sheet, said top and bottom portions of the sheet being electrostatically bound in the overlap region; and (b) a pull tab adhesively affixed in part to the sheet and comprising an adhesive-free grasping element located such that an external pulling force exerted on the tab will be transmitted to the overlap region and will exert a force which pulls the overlapping portion of the sheet in a direction away from the overlapped portion of the sheet.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein portions of the interior side of the sheet contact the product or product holder.
3. An easily accessible container comprising:
(a) a sheet of wrapping material having interior and exterior sides, top and bottom ends, and top and bottom portions, respectively, between the ends; the sheet being wrapped around at least one product or product holder, said top and bottom portions of the sheet forming an overlap region and being electrostatically bound in the overlap region; and (b) a pull tab adhesively affixed in part to both the top and bottom portions and comprising an adhesive-free grasping element.
(a) a sheet of wrapping material having interior and exterior sides, top and bottom ends, and top and bottom portions, respectively, between the ends; the sheet being wrapped around at least one product or product holder, said top and bottom portions of the sheet forming an overlap region and being electrostatically bound in the overlap region; and (b) a pull tab adhesively affixed in part to both the top and bottom portions and comprising an adhesive-free grasping element.
4. The container of claim 3, wherein any portion of the pull tab which crosses an end of the sheet of material does not have adhesive applied thereto.
5. An easily accessible container comprising:
(a) a wrapping sheet comprised of material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene and polyvinylchloride; wherein the sheet has interior and exterior sides, top and bottom ends, and top and bottom portions, respectively, between the ends, and wherein the sheet is wrapped around at least one product or product holder such that the top and bottom portions overlap and are electrostatically sealed to each other to form an overlapped region comprising an overlapped portion of the sheet and an overlapping portion; and (b) a foil pull tab adhesively affixed in the overlap region to the external side of the overlapping portion of the sheet wherein the tab comprises an adhesive-free grasping element.
(a) a wrapping sheet comprised of material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene and polyvinylchloride; wherein the sheet has interior and exterior sides, top and bottom ends, and top and bottom portions, respectively, between the ends, and wherein the sheet is wrapped around at least one product or product holder such that the top and bottom portions overlap and are electrostatically sealed to each other to form an overlapped region comprising an overlapped portion of the sheet and an overlapping portion; and (b) a foil pull tab adhesively affixed in the overlap region to the external side of the overlapping portion of the sheet wherein the tab comprises an adhesive-free grasping element.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US06/870,111 US4747491A (en) | 1986-06-03 | 1986-06-03 | Tab-opening container |
| US870,111 | 1986-06-03 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1281009C true CA1281009C (en) | 1991-03-05 |
Family
ID=25354808
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000537657A Expired - Fee Related CA1281009C (en) | 1986-06-03 | 1987-05-21 | Tab opening container |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4747491A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0248283B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPS6367269A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1281009C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3768704D1 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2021298B3 (en) |
Families Citing this family (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4971197A (en) * | 1989-12-06 | 1990-11-20 | Eveready Battery Company, Inc. | Battery package |
| US4979613A (en) * | 1989-12-28 | 1990-12-25 | The Proctor & Gamble Company | Separable fastening device |
| US5168997A (en) * | 1992-02-28 | 1992-12-08 | The Stanley Works | Carpenter square package and sleeve therefore |
| FR2841223B1 (en) * | 2002-06-19 | 2004-10-15 | Sleever Int | PACKAGING FOR OBJECTS (S) OF HEAT SHRINKABLE MATERIAL WITH ESSENTIALLY SMOOTH INTERNAL OR EXTERNAL SIDE |
| US7087152B2 (en) | 2002-10-08 | 2006-08-08 | Exxonmobil Research And Engineering Company | Wax isomerate yield enhancement by oxygenate pretreatment of feed |
| US7780009B2 (en) * | 2004-02-27 | 2010-08-24 | Eveready Battery Company, Inc. | Modular battery package |
| EP3121132A1 (en) * | 2015-07-21 | 2017-01-25 | Renata AG | Blister pack for button battery |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US1987596A (en) * | 1933-08-01 | 1935-01-15 | American Enka Corp | Package wrapper for textile products |
| US2153310A (en) * | 1937-12-06 | 1939-04-04 | American Seal Company | Package seal and label |
| US3024581A (en) * | 1960-02-11 | 1962-03-13 | Charles E Cloud | Enfolding self-clinging film |
| US3259507A (en) * | 1963-02-04 | 1966-07-05 | Crown Zellerbach Corp | Heatsealable seal and food package utilizing same |
| US3497131A (en) * | 1968-05-20 | 1970-02-24 | Kartridg Pak Co | Package with easy opening device |
| US3731792A (en) * | 1971-02-08 | 1973-05-08 | Owens Corning Fiberglass Corp | Nonslumping glass fiber package |
-
1986
- 1986-06-03 US US06/870,111 patent/US4747491A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1987
- 1987-05-21 DE DE8787107405T patent/DE3768704D1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1987-05-21 ES ES87107405T patent/ES2021298B3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1987-05-21 EP EP87107405A patent/EP0248283B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1987-05-21 CA CA000537657A patent/CA1281009C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1987-06-03 JP JP62139630A patent/JPS6367269A/en active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP0248283B1 (en) | 1991-03-20 |
| JPS6367269A (en) | 1988-03-26 |
| EP0248283A1 (en) | 1987-12-09 |
| ES2021298B3 (en) | 1991-11-01 |
| DE3768704D1 (en) | 1991-04-25 |
| US4747491A (en) | 1988-05-31 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |